Events

{"83865":"Dusk in January is a perfect time to look and listen for Great Horned Owls, often heard calling throughout the Arboretum\u2019s collections. Join Horticulturist Brendan Keegan and Zoo New England's Matthew Kamm to hear about the owls' breeding and nesting behavior, learn how to go owling ethically, and possibly hear and see a few owls as well. ","83884":"Take in the sights and sounds of the arboretum under the light of a full moon. Facilitator Bob Linscott will lead the group through some mindfulness in nature practices as we meander along the paved road to our final nighttime viewing location on top of Bussey Hill.","83916":"Make beautiful seasonal cards and prints using the alternative photography method known as Cyanotype. Participants will collect leaves and seeds in the landscape and arrange them on special paper to create a deep blue print with bright, ghost-white silhouettes. This historic photography method, otherwise known as blueprints (sunprints), is one of the earliest forms of photography, and offers participants the ability to perform something that seems like magic.","83926":"Join us for a winter foraging walk to learn what wild plants can be foraged and brewed into tea. Visit some of the Arboretum's tastiest winter plants, from sweet birch and sweet fern to sassafras and spicebush. You may even get to taste some of the teas yourself! Led by Manager of Adult Programming and Events Sarah Nechamen and Horticulturist Brendan Keegan.","83936":"Hundreds of mushrooms hide beneath the Arboretum\u2019s canopies, silently blossoming into unique forms then withering away again just as quickly. Join local mushroom enthusiast Maria Pinto to search for these fascinating organisms on the Arboretum grounds, both edible and poisonous alike. Along the way you will learn what mushrooms to look for in different habitats and seasons, how they move through ecosystems, and what the Arboretum\u2019s unique collections affect what mushrooms you might find here.\u00a0\u00a0","83945":"Did you know that flowers bloom at the Arboretum even in the depths of winter? Witch-hazels bloom in vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows across the landscape, giving a beautiful pop of color amidst the winter greys and whites. Join us on a tour and be ready to step off the path to admire the flowers of our native witch-hazels, as well as those from China and Japan.","83978":"Did you know that flowers bloom at the Arboretum even in the depths of winter? Witch-hazels bloom in vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows across the landscape, giving a beautiful pop of color amidst the winter greys and whites. Join us on a tour and be ready to step off the path to admire the flowers of our native witch-hazels, as well as those from China and Japan.","83993":"Did you know that flowers bloom at the Arboretum even in the depths of winter? Witch-hazels bloom in vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows across the landscape, giving a beautiful pop of color amidst the winter greys and whites. Join us on a tour and be ready to step off the path to admire the flowers of our native witch-hazels, as well as those from China and Japan.","83999":"Did you know that flowers bloom at the Arboretum even in the depths of winter? Witch-hazels bloom in vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows across the landscape, giving a beautiful pop of color amidst the winter greys and whites. Join us on a tour and be ready to step off the path to admire the flowers of our native witch-hazels, as well as those from China and Japan.","84013":"Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the father of landscape architecture, designed some 500 public spaces in North America. The Arnold Arboretum, the only arboretum he designed, is a National Historic Landmark and a model for others around the world. Arboretum docent, Bill Beizer, will identify the elements of the Arnold Arboretum that best reflect Olmsted's philosophy and approach to landscape design.","84025":"What is there to see at the Arboretum after all of the leaves have fallen and before spring flowers start to bloom? Bark! Shaggy bark, mottled bark, striped bark: the Arboretum has it all. Join Horticulturist Rachel Lawlor to see some beautiful bark highlights, learn how to identify some trees by their bark, and learn why that bark looks the way it does.\u00a0","84041":"With mating season just getting started, February is one of the best times to see signs of the Arboretum's resident coyote population. Join Horticulturist and wildlife enthusiast Brendan Keegan to look for coyote tracks and scat, check our trail cameras, and find out why all these coyotes are in Boston in the first place.\u00a0","84062":"","84080":"","84100":"What is a conifer, exactly? How is it different from an evergreen, or a gymnosperm? Join docent Paul Eldrenkamp as he leads us through the different types of conifers and how to identify them, the reasons behind their distinctive needle-like forms, and their rise and fall in evolutionary history.","84114":"How exactly are you supposed to prune that hydrangea shrub in your backyard? Join Horticulturist Ryan Devlin for this practical workshop to find out what kinds of cuts to make and where, so that you can make sure your shrubs and vines are looking their best going into the next growing season.","84136":"Winter can feel like one of the hardest times to identify trees, with most of their characteristic leaves and flowers gone for the season. But with help from experienced horticulturist and plant science teacher Nicole Forsyth, you can start identifying common winter trees from the woods and streets of Massachusetts based only on their bark, buds, twigs, and persistent fruit. This class will begin indoors with a presentation in the lecture hall, and then move outside for some identification practice in the landscape.","84148":"The Many Moods of the Arboretum is a series of digital photographs taken across the Arboretum over the last 10 years. These images were captured in a sequence of still images and then stitched together into panoramas, showing the full breadth of the landscape better than a single square image ever could. This exhibition captures the beauty and uniqueness of Arboretum trees and landscapes through the cycling of days and seasons, further underlined by the \"Little Planet\" square-format images in which panoramas are curved back on themselves to create circular images that reflect the cycles of the earth itself.","84160":"Join us for a winter foraging walk to learn what wild plants can be foraged and brewed into tea. Visit some of the Arboretum's tastiest winter plants, from sweet birch and sweet fern to sassafras and spicebush. You may even get to taste some of the teas yourself! Led by Manager of Adult Programming and Events Sarah Nechamen and Horticulturist Brendan Keegan.","84172":"Horticulturists use grafting to fuse together different plants, taking positive traits from each to create maximum disease resistance, drought tolerance, and more. Join Greenhouse Assistant Manager of Plant Production Chris Copeland to learn how grafting works and why we do it, including a walk around the landscape and greenhouses to find graft unions-- both those created by Arboretum staff and those that have occurred naturally. We will end the class with a chance to see Chris and his grafting tools in action, as he dices and splices plants together using a variety of grafting techniques.","84591":"We invite you to participate in a one-day Courage to Teach\u00ae retreat experience for Boston Public School teachers and teachers in the greater Boston area. Based on the work of Parker J. Palmer, Courage to Teach\u00ae is rooted in the belief that good teaching flows from the identity and integrity of the teacher. This professional development opportunity focuses on renewing the inner lives and well-being of educators. You will experience invitations, alone and together with other educators, to reflect on your life and teaching through an exploration of the natural world, woven together with insights from poets, storytellers, mindfulness, and the arts.","85842":"Did you know that flowers bloom at the Arboretum even in the depths of winter? Witch-hazels bloom in vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows across the landscape, giving a beautiful pop of color amidst the winter greys and whites. Join us on a tour and be ready to step off the path to admire the flowers of our native witch-hazels, as well as those from China and Japan.","85850":"Did you know that flowers bloom at the Arboretum even in the depths of winter? Witch-hazels bloom in vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows across the landscape, giving a beautiful pop of color amidst the winter greys and whites. Join us on a tour and be ready to step off the path to admire the flowers of our native witch-hazels, as well as those from China and Japan.","85856":"Did you know that flowers bloom at the Arboretum even in the depths of winter? Witch-hazels bloom in vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows across the landscape, giving a beautiful pop of color amidst the winter greys and whites. Join us on a tour and be ready to step off the path to admire the flowers of our native witch-hazels, as well as those from China and Japan.","85866":"Hundreds of mushrooms hide beneath the Arboretum\u2019s canopies, silently blossoming into unique forms then withering away again just as quickly. Join local mushroom enthusiast Maria Pinto to search for these fascinating organisms on the Arboretum grounds, both edible and poisonous alike. Along the way you will learn what mushrooms to look for in different habitats and seasons, how they move through ecosystems, and what the Arboretum\u2019s unique collections affect what mushrooms you might find here.\u00a0\u00a0","85874":"In 2021, Arboretum staff started transforming a large swath of grass next to the Weld Hill Research Building into the thriving pollinator meadow that it is today. Join Horticulturist Brendan Keegan, the main caretaker for this space, to learn how to make this transformation with your own lawn. This primarily indoor class will cover how to remove your current turfgrass, select the right plants, plant your meadow, and keep it flourishing for years to come.","85900":"Dusk is a perfect time to look and listen for Great Horned Owls, often heard calling throughout the Arboretum\u2019s collections. Join Horticulturist Brendan Keegan and Zoo New England's Matthew Kamm to hear about the owls' breeding and nesting behavior, learn how to go owling ethically, and possibly hear and see a few owls as well. ","85909":"Bring your enthusiasm for the natural world and leave with a creative nature journal, inspired by the trees of the Arnold Arboretum. Nature journaling is all about expressing your curiosity and wonder through sketching, calligraphy, writing, or other forms of art-making. Tap into your creativity and let yourself be surprised by the diversity of forms on display in the winter landscape.","85928":"What is a conifer, exactly? How is it different from an evergreen, or a gymnosperm? Join docent Paul Eldrenkamp as he leads us through the different types of conifers and how to identify them, the reasons behind their distinctive needle-like forms, and their rise and fall in evolutionary history.","85937":"Dusk is a perfect time to look and listen for Great Horned Owls, often heard calling throughout the Arboretum\u2019s collections. Join Horticulturist Brendan Keegan to hear about the owls' breeding and nesting behavior, learn how to go owling ethically, and possibly hear and see a few owls as well. ","85967":"Join us for a bird walk designed for a blind or visually impaired audience. This program is co-led by Jerry Berrier, a blind birder who has been birding by ear for over 50 years, and Brendan Keegan, an Arboretum Horticulturist and naturalist. Together, Jerry and Brendan will reveal the birds of the Arboretum through detailed verbal descriptions and by teaching participants the art of birding by ear.","86246":"Join Arborist Apprentice Delia Mahoney and Gardener Maren Gunning for a class on chainsaw maintenance and safety, designed specifically for women. Learn how to develop safe work habits, use proper PPE, maintain your chainsaw, and make effective cuts. The class will also cover the ergonomics of chainsaw use for women, so that you can wield a chainsaw without acute or repetitive strain injuries. ","86289":"Join Head Arborist John Del Rosso for an interactive workshop on chainsaw maintenance and safety. Designed for professionals and gardeners with some chainsaw experience, you will learn how to best maintain your chainsaw, make effective felling cuts and tension cuts, use proper PPE, and develop safe work habits.","86866":"Did you know that flowers bloom at the Arboretum even in the depths of winter? Witch-hazels bloom in vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows across the landscape, giving a beautiful pop of color amidst the winter greys and whites. Join us on a tour and be ready to step off the path to admire the flowers of our native witch-hazels, as well as those from China and Japan.","86872":"Did you know that flowers bloom at the Arboretum even in the depths of winter? Witch-hazels bloom in vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows across the landscape, giving a beautiful pop of color amidst the winter greys and whites. Join us on a tour and be ready to step off the path to admire the flowers of our native witch-hazels, as well as those from China and Japan.","86951":"Take in the sights and sounds of the arboretum under the light of a full moon. Facilitator Bob Linscott will lead the group through some mindfulness in nature practices as we meander along the paved road to our final nighttime viewing location on top of Bussey Hill.","86974":"Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the father of landscape architecture, designed some 500 public spaces in North America. The Arnold Arboretum, the only arboretum he designed, is a National Historic Landmark and a model for others around the world. Arboretum docent, Bill Beizer, will identify the elements of the Arnold Arboretum that best reflect Olmsted's philosophy and approach to landscape design.","86987":"Embark on a birdwatching walk in the Arboretum's landscape with birder and wildlife photographer Michael Bryant, AKA Nature Man Mike. This two-hour walk is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced birders. Binoculars will be available to borrow on a first-come-first-serve basis, but you are encouraged to bring your own!","87005":"The Arboretum's Herbarium contains over 100 thousand dried and preserved plants, and almost half were taken from the Arboretum's own collections. These Herbarium specimens offer a blast from the past for these historic trees, and this unique program offers a chance to see both ends of the timeline: we will begin inside the Herbarium with a look at historical specimens from decades ago, and then head outside to see the trees they grew into.","87028":"Join us for a tour of the Arboretum, designed for a blind or visually impaired audience. Tour seasonal plant highlights and learn about Arboretum history from a trained docent, as you experience the Arboretum through smell, touch, sound, and detailed verbal descriptions.","87128":"Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the father of landscape architecture, designed some 500 public spaces in North America. The Arnold Arboretum, the only arboretum he designed, is a National Historic Landmark and a model for others around the world. Arboretum docent, Bill Beizer, will identify the elements of the Arnold Arboretum that best reflect Olmsted's philosophy and approach to landscape design.","87141":"Take in the sights and sounds of the arboretum under the light of a full moon. Facilitator Bob Linscott will lead the group through some mindfulness in nature practices as we meander along the paved road to our final nighttime viewing location on top of Bussey Hill.","87174":"Did you know you can eat parts of the magnolia tree? What about stinging nettle? Join local foraging expert Tyler Akabane for a plant foraging walk to look for wild edibles in the Arboretum landscape, and learn how to identify and safely prepare a wide variety of wild edible plants.","87355":"Make beautiful cards and prints using the alternative photography method known as Cyanotype. Participants will collect leaves and seeds in the landscape and arrange them on special paper to create a deep blue print with bright, ghost-white silhouettes. This historic photography method, otherwise known as blueprints (sunprints), is one of the earliest forms of photography, and offers participants the ability to perform something that seems like magic.","87368":"Birders, beginning and experienced, are invited to join Bob Mayer on a two-hour walk from the main Arborway Gate. Come see the wide array of birds that make the Arboretum their home, and admire the Arboretum's woody plant collections along the way.","87383":"April is National Native Plant Month, and the Arboretum is teeming with native plants: redbuds, azaleas, oaks, maples, even herbaceous plants like cattails. Join Horticulturist Brendan Keegan for a walk to see the Arboretum's native plants, explore their value to the ecosystem, and learn which woody natives to pick for landscaping your own yard or garden.","87398":"In April, flowers are just starting to emerge from the trees and shrubs of the Arboretum: cherry trees, dogwood, redbuds, and magnolias are all blooming this time of year. Join Arboretum docent Paul Eldrenkamp to see, smell, and learn about these early spring blooms! ","87409":"Hundreds of mushrooms hide beneath the Arboretum\u2019s canopies, silently blossoming into unique forms then withering away again just as quickly. Join local mushroom enthusiast Maria Pinto to search for these fascinating organisms on the Arboretum grounds, both edible and poisonous alike. Along the way you will learn what mushrooms to look for in different habitats and seasons, how they move through ecosystems, and what the Arboretum\u2019s unique collections affect what mushrooms you might find here.\u00a0\u00a0","87418":"Birders, beginning and experienced, are invited to join Bob Mayer on a two-hour walk from the main Arborway Gate. Come see the wide array of birds that make the Arboretum their home, and admire the Arboretum's woody plant collections along the way.","87430":"Experience the springtime bloom of our renowned lilac collection with Lilac Sunday, offering fun, free explorations for the entire family. The event features ongoing tours of the Arboretum\u2019s lilacs and other plant collections, as well as guided meditations,\u00a0art, family activities, and picnicking on this day only. Visitors may also enjoy a host of self-guided tours, including a lilac tour, via the Arboretum website and its Expeditions app. ","87467":"The Arnold is considered the \"Mother Arboretum\" for the modern crabapple, with over 50 species and 91 cultivars represented throughout the landscape. Join Assistant Curator of Living Collections Miles Sax for a tour of the flowering crabapples on Peters Hill as they reach peak bloom during the month of May, and learn about the history and conservation of this fascinating collection.","87478":"Birders, beginning and experienced, are invited to join Bob Mayer on a two-hour walk from the main Arborway Gate. Come see the wide array of birds that make the Arboretum their home, and admire the Arboretum's woody plant collections along the way.","87487":"The Arboretum is full of plants that can be used to make alcohol. We have the classics like grapes, hops, and juniper, as well as ingredients for more obscure liquors and liqueurs like sweet birch, bamboo, spruce, and sassafras. Join Manager of Adult Programming and Events Sarah Nechamen for a walk to explore these plants and the spirits they create.","87513":"Slow down and awaken your senses on a guided therapeutic experience in the Arnold Arboretum. Forest Bathing, inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, is a restorative sensory exploration and part of a global effort to tend to the stressful conditions of living in modern industrialized civilization. All the prompts, invitations, sharing and ways of participating are optional and open to interpretation.","87543":"Some of the easiest wild edible plants to find are the ones we pull out of our gardens all the time: weeds! Lamsquarters, chickweed, purslane, wood sorrel, and more-- all edible and all extremely common, both in our backyards and in urban wilds across the city. And the Arboretum's Bussey Brook Meadow is the perfect habitat for these weedy plants, so join Sarah Nechamen, Manager of Adult Education and Events, for a walk through the meadow to learn how to find, identify, and prepare these edible weeds.","87562":"Join docent Lisa Gaquin for a brisk early morning walk along the inside perimeter of the Arboretum. This walk will be fast-paced, energetic, and will involve walking over hills and rough terrain. Note that this is not a traditional tour: you may hear some information about individual trees and history, but the main goal is to get outside and get some exercise! Bring good walking shoes, water, and walking poles if desired.","87580":"Lilacs are blooming in the Arboretum throughout the month of May, not only on Lilac Sunday! Join our enthusiastic docents on a 45-minute amble up the hill from the ponds to see the lilacs, enjoy their scents, and hear the stories of the many different lilacs in our collection.","87618":"Almost all of the plants in the Arboretum begin their lives in the Dana Greenhouses. Join greenhouse staff for a behind-the-scenes look of the greenhouse growing process, from seed to sprout to seedling to tree.","87711":"Unwind with this weekly evening meditation under the shade of the linden collection. Facilitator Bob Linscott will guide the group through 30 minutes of mindfulness and meditation designed to help you de-stress and connect with the natural world.","87728":"Nature has the power to evoke calm and beauty when we can step out of our hectic lives. This immersive experience in the Arnold Arboretum will invite participants to meander through the arboretum, stopping for several guided mindfulness practices to deepen their connection with the natural world. This will be a guided experience with some periods of silence. No experience with mindfulness or meditation necessary.","88722":"Boston is expected to experience a partial eclipse on April 8, and where better to see it than the summit of Peters Hill, the Arboretum's tallest hill and one of the highest points in Boston? Join docent Kevin Schofield for a tour of Peters Hill, home to white pines, dawn redwoods, bamboo, ginkgoes, larches, and a truly magnificent crabapple collection. The tour will end at the summit, where you will get a chance to view the partial eclipse through eclipse-safe sunglasses provided by the Arboretum.","89665":"Join us for a Tree Mob on Winter Hazel as it bursts into bloom in the Centre Street beds. This attractive shrub is easy to maintain and makes a wonderful landscape plant, so join Horticulturist Ryan Devlin on March 29th to learn about this beautiful witch-hazel relative.","89228":"","89820":"Come celebrate Japanese culture amongst the Arboretum's beautiful cherry blossoms, with Taiko drumming by local band KM2 and calligraphy and Japanese games by the Showa Boston Institute. The Taiko drumming will be taking place from 6:00-6:30, with Showa activities before and after. ","90390":"Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the father of landscape architecture, designed some 500 public spaces in North America. The Arnold Arboretum, the only arboretum he designed, is a National Historic Landmark and a model for others around the world. Arboretum docent, Bill Beizer, will identify the elements of the Arnold Arboretum that best reflect Olmsted's philosophy and approach to landscape design.","90518":"Find out how tree planting works at the Arnold Arboretum and look on as Arboretum staff plant an Eastern Redbud, a tree the Arbor Day Foundation calls the \"harbinger of spring\" due to its early-blooming pink flowers. From collecting the seed, to growing the tree in our greenhouses, to finally planting the tree and taking care of it throughout its young life, a lot of work goes in to tree planting here at the Arboretum. Horticulture staff Rowan Payne-Meyer and Ryan Devlin will talk us through the process as we celebrate Arbor Day by planting one of our own beautiful Redbud trees.","91719":"Join Arboretum Director Ned Friedman for a tour of the spruce collection to see a rainbow of young cones at their peak.","91954":"One of the earliest viburnums to bloom in the Arboretum, Viburnum furcatum or scarlet leaved viburnum is full of interesting and unique botany, biogeography, and history. Join Keeper of the Living Collections Michael Dosmann for a Tree Mob to learn about this fascinating and beautiful plant.","92503":"Celebrate summertime with Candy O'Terry and Colleen Esposito, mother-daughter co-authors of the illustrated children's book Nelson's Garden. Best described as a partially true, mostly made-up story, Nelson's Garden is about a man named Nelson McNutt from Weston, Massachusetts, and two little girls with a summer wish to learn how to grow a garden. Book readings at 2:15 and 3:15 will also include songs, a table-sized garden mural coloring project, and more. ","93856":"Join the Arnold Arboretum\u2019s Director William (Ned) Friedman for a guided tour of the Arboretum, designed for those with dementia and their caregivers. Connect with nature, view seasonal plant highlights, and enjoy the beautiful flowers of the Arboretum in late spring.","93979":"When the sun sets and darkness settles on the Arboretum for the night, every now and then the dark is interrupted by the flash of a firefly. Join Professor Adam South of Tufts University for an evening Firefly Walk to learn about the lives of the fireflies that live here, the mechanics of how they light up, and how these unique insects are being impacted by pesticides and light pollution.","94002":"Unwind with this weekly evening meditation under the shade of the linden collection. Facilitator Bob Linscott will guide the group through 30 minutes of mindfulness and meditation designed to help you de-stress and connect with the natural world.","94025":"La naturaleza tiene el poder de evocar la tranquilidad y la belleza cuando conseguimos alejarnos de nuestras ajetreadas vidas.\u00a0 Esta experiencia de inmersi\u00f3n en el Arnold Arboretum dura dos horas y media e invita a los participantes a pasearse por el Arboretum, deteni\u00e9ndose para praticar varias experiencias guiadas de conciencia plena con el fin de profundizar la conexi\u00f3n con el mundo natural.\u00a0 Esta experiencia ser\u00e1 guiada y haran algunos periodos de silencio. No es necesario tener experiencia con la conciencia plena o con la meditaci\u00f3n.","94119":"Embark on a birdwatching walk in the Arboretum's landscape with docent and birder Donna Sullivan. This two-hour walk is suitable for adult beginners as well as more experienced birders. Bring binoculars if you have them!","94234":"MassQing is an art-form that uses the human face as a canvas to reveal one's inner state. Learn the origin, technique and meaning of this practice and then engage firsthand in the conception and creation of your own MassQ.","94505":"Join us for a reception celebrating our latest art exhibition: \"Resilient Spirits\" by Freda Shapiro. As an artist, Shapiro seeks out visuals that resonate with her concerns around troubling environmental, political, or societal issues. She portrays some of these intersections through themes of nature\u2019s resilience and decay, centering her artwork around the forgotten detritus found on her frequent explorations, and the endurance and survival instincts that the natural world shows even through hard times. Resilient Spirits highlights such resilience, reminding us of a time when the Arboretum lays cold and dormant, even as we see new growth and blooms in the heat of summer.","94677":"Join us for this unique storytelling event where participants come together to share their personal experiences around nature, plants, or the Arboretum itself. Come prepared with a 5-minute story, or just come to listen. All interested storytellers will put their name in a hat and we will pull as many names as we have time for: registering helps us to plan but doesn't guarantee you a storytelling slot! Seating will be on the grass so blankets and camp chairs are encouraged.","94525":"Harvard's Glass Flowers, the Harvard University Herbarium, and artist Sonia Ralston's digital botanical models: one is made of glass, one is dried and pressed, and one exists only in the digital space, yet they all exist for the same purpose. Join us for a virtual panel-style talk to compare these vastly different methods of representing and preserving plants. Explore the value of these collections within the modern age of photography, the art and science of creating them, and their role in research, learning, and public appreciation of plants.","94711":"Nature has the power to evoke calm and beauty when we can step out of our hectic lives. This immersive experience in the Arnold Arboretum will invite participants to meander through the arboretum, stopping for several guided mindfulness practices to deepen their connection with the natural world. This will be a guided experience with some periods of silence. No experience with mindfulness or meditation necessary.","94748":"","94224":"Mountain laurels are as fascinating as the are beautiful, with stamens that catapult pollen onto their pollinators and wood that is so easy to carve that it was nicknamed \"spoonwood.\" Join Horticulturist Brendan Keegan for a walk to learn about the botany, ecology, and cultural significance of these beautiful flowers at peak bloom.","94461":"When the sun sets and darkness settles on the Arboretum for the night, every now and then the dark is interrupted by the flash of a firefly. Join Professor Adam South of Tufts University for an evening Firefly Walk to learn about the lives of the fireflies that live here, the mechanics of how they light up, and how these unique insects are being impacted by pesticides and light pollution.","94467":"When the sun sets and darkness settles on the Arboretum for the night, every now and then the dark is interrupted by the flash of a firefly. Join Professor Adam South of Tufts University for an evening Firefly Walk to learn about the lives of the fireflies that live here, the mechanics of how they light up, and how these unique insects are being impacted by pesticides and light pollution.","94451":"Can you identify the trees around you when you're walking through the streets of Boston or hiking in New England forests? Join experienced horticulturist and plant science teacher Nicole Forsyth for a class on identifying common trees and shrubs in Massachusetts, from elms and honeylocust to lindens and witch-hazels. This class will begin indoors with a presentation in the lecture hall, and then move outside for some identification practice in the landscape. ","94541":"Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the father of landscape architecture, designed some 500 public spaces in North America. The Arnold Arboretum, the only arboretum he designed, is a National Historic Landmark and a model for others around the world. Arboretum docent, Bill Beizer, will identify the elements of the Arnold Arboretum that best reflect Olmsted's philosophy and approach to landscape design.","95187":"Join us in the Arboretum's oak collection for a lively performance of African drumming and dancing, with Malian musician Joh Camara and his award winning dance company Troupe Sewa. This professional international ensemble of dancers and musicians offers exciting, masterful performances of traditional West African drumming and dance. Their work is based on traditional rhythms and dance steps, woven together through original stories. This performance will take place on the grass: blankets or camp chairs are encouraged.","94551":"Join Linda Wells, \"The Wellness Warrior,\" for a monthly yoga series in the rose garden throughout the summer. This is an inclusive, adaptable practice outdoors for everyone regardless of age, size, shape, and abilities.","94576":"The Arboretum is partnering with Skip the Small Talk to help Arboretum visitors get to know each other (and themselves) on a deeper level, all while walking through the beautiful Arboretum landscape. With conversational prompts posted at strategic points around the landscape, we'll pair you off and send you on your way to start your conversation. Each time we reach a stopping point, the group will shuffle and everyone will get a new partner and a new topic. The prompts and structure are designed to create close connections with new people, without all the awkwardness.","94612":"Almost all of the plants in the Arboretum begin their lives in the Dana Greenhouses. Join greenhouse staff for a behind-the-scenes look of the greenhouse growing process, from seed to sprout to seedling to tree.","94624":"Embark on a birdwatching walk in the Arboretum's landscape with docent and birder Donna Sullivan. This two-hour walk is suitable for adult beginners as well as more experienced birders. Bring binoculars if you have them!","94632":"Hundreds of mushrooms hide beneath the Arboretum\u2019s canopies, silently blossoming into unique forms then withering away again just as quickly. Join local mushroom enthusiast Maria Pinto to search for these fascinating organisms on the Arboretum grounds, both edible and poisonous alike. Along the way you will learn what mushrooms to look for in different habitats and seasons, how they move through ecosystems, and what the Arboretum\u2019s unique collections affect what mushrooms you might find here.\u00a0\u00a0","94640":"Embark on a birdwatching walk in the Arboretum's landscape with birder and wildlife photographer Michael Bryant, AKA Nature Man Mike. This two-hour walk is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced birders. Binoculars will be available to borrow on a first-come-first-serve basis, but you are encouraged to bring your own!","94652":"An arborist and an ecological maximalist, Nicholas Anderson believes that creating a beautiful landscape doesn't need to involve buying expensive plant plugs or meticulously weeding and fertilizing. Instead, he collects seeds and rhizomes from the many charismatic native \"weeds\" that grow abundantly in our fields and forests and plants them relentlessly, quickly filling the space with beautiful and ecologically beneficial plants that push out anything that wasn't invited. Join Nicholas for a talk on his maximalist approach from 2-3pm, followed by an optional walk through the grounds from 3-3:45pm to see some of the plants best suited for this type of landscaping.","94669":"Invasive plants across the world threaten to take over ecosystems and choke out native plants, and the Arboretum is no exception to this struggle. Join Horticulturist Ryan Devlin to find out how staff are managing invasive plants here, learn what characteristics make a plant invasive, and start identifying the invasives you see all around you.","94693":"If our ears were 100 times more powerful than they are, we would be able to hear the sounds produced by trees themselves: water moving through the trunks and branches, small critters moving around in the wood or the canopy. We would even be able to hear how plants receive and respond to sound waves produced by other beings. Our ears are not this powerful, but artist, researcher, and educator Jacek Smolicki has created microphones and recording systems that are, and he has captured these sounds in the Arboretum and around the world. oin us for a sound walk to listen to the sounds being made by plants and other creatures in the Arboretum, specially amplified by Smolicki\u2019s equipment, and to hear recordings made previously in the Arboretum and other environments. ","94845":"Did you know you can eat cattails? What about stinging nettle? Join Horticulturist Brendan Keegan for an evening foraging walk to look for wild edibles in the Arboretum landscape. Learn how to identify, sustainably harvest, and safely prepare a wide variety of wild edible plants.","94939":"The Bradley Rosaceous Collection has beautiful roses on display in a stunning rainbow of colors\u2013but roses are not the only thing you will find in this garden. There are many other plants in the rose family, from crabapples and cherries to hawthorn and medlar. Join Horticulturist Rachel Lawlor for a tour of the Bradley Rosaceous Collection and learn about the wide variety of Rosaceae species, the susceptibility of this family to pests and disease, how the Arboretum is handling these challenges, and how this unique garden came to be.","94951":"The Arboretum is full of plants that can be used to make alcohol. We have the classics like grapes, hops, and juniper, as well as ingredients for more obscure liquors and liqueurs like sweet birch, spruce, and bamboo. Join Manager of Adult Programming and Events Sarah Nechamen for a walk to explore these plants and the spirits they create.","94964":"Embark on a birdwatching walk in the Arboretum's landscape with docent and birder Donna Sullivan. This two-hour walk is suitable for adult beginners as well as more experienced birders. Bring binoculars if you have them!","94972":"In our perilous times, trees offer examples of resilience and precariousness, growth and generosity. How do we invite them into our writing? Join Matthew Battles, editor of Arnoldia, the Arboretum's quarterly magazine, for an immersive workshop to practice writing under, about, and in collaboration with trees.\n\nParticipants will move throughout the landscape to engage trees in the Arboretum's collection while writing, reflecting, and sharing their discoveries.","94988":"Join Nicole Forsyth, horticulturist and plant science educator, for a primer on all things botany: different plant parts and what they do, the movement of water and nutrients around the plant, gas exchange, plant reproduction and more. No prior botany knowledge needed! Whether you're looking for a botany refresher or learning plant form and function for the first time, this class will give you the basics you need to know.","95002":"The stately beeches of the Arboretum used to tower over other trees\u2013and some still do\u2013but pests, diseases, and other pathogens have taken their toll in recent years. Join Arborist Apprentice and beech enthusiast Delia Mahoney for a walk in the beech collection and learn about the challenges these trees have faced, what the Arboretum is doing in response, and what the collection looked like in years past.","95017":"Eco-printing is an art-form which uses water, metal, and heat to transfer the natural color and shape of a plant onto paper, creating beautiful botanical prints. The group will learn about different methods of eco-printing, then head outside to collect plants from the Arboretum grounds and turn them into their own eco-printing creations. This program has a small capacity: please don't register unless you are very sure you can attend, and if your plans change, please use the link in your confirmation email to cancel your registration.","95033":"Some of the Arboretum's smallest residents are its most ecologically important: dozens of ant species support the plants and wildlife here by spreading seeds, pollinating flowers, and decomposing fallen trees. Join Horticulturist and naturalist Brendan Keegan to learn about the remarkable effect these largely unnoticed ant species have on the Arboretum landscape.","95056":"Nature has the power to evoke calm and beauty when we can step out of our hectic lives. This immersive experience in the Arnold Arboretum will invite participants to meander through the arboretum, stopping for several guided mindfulness practices to deepen their connection with the natural world. This will be a guided experience with some periods of silence. No experience with mindfulness or meditation necessary.","95064":"When Amy Stewart discovered a community of tree collectors, she expected to meet horticultural fanatics driven to plant every species of oak or maple. What she discovered was that the urge to collect trees springs from something deeper and more profound, whether it is a longing for community, a vision for the future, or a path to healing and reconciliation. In her new book, The Tree Collectors: Tales of Arboreal Obsession, Stewart brings us fifty vignettes of remarkable people whose lives have been transformed by their obsessive passion for trees. Join us for a virtual book talk with New York Times bestselling author Amy Stewart as she takes us through her remarkable new work.","95087":"Join us for an interactive look at all the tiny critters that crawl, fly, or slither through the Arboretum landscape. We will have sweep nets and bug boxes to catch bugs in Kent Field, some dead bugs to look at up close, and digital microscopes to get a closer look at everything we find. This is an all-ages, interactive program: come prepared to move around and get up close with some bugs and insects!","95113":"Learn how to make stunning flower arrangements with Arboretum summer blooms. In this interactive workshop, you will learn best practices in plant arrangement and try your hand at creating your own, helped along by Arboretum staff and flower arrangement extraordinaires Scott Phillips and Regina Mission. Please bring a 2-quart mason jar or similarly sized wide-mouth vase: smaller vases run the risk of tipping under the weight of the flowers!","95132":"You may have seen the distinctive bark of the shagbark hickory in the Arboretum grounds, but that is just the tip of the hickory iceberg at the Arnold. Join Horticulturist Ryan Devlin for a walk in the hickory collection to learn about sand hickories, water hickories, bitternut hickories nutmeg hickories-- even pecans, which are technically also hickories! Discover how to identify different hickory species, learn about their culinary and wood uses, and find out how the Arboretum plants and cultivates this unique genus.","98153":"Join docent Lisa Gaquin for a brisk early morning walk along the inside perimeter of the Arboretum. This walk will be fast-paced, energetic, and will involve walking over hills and rough terrain. Note that this is not a traditional tour: you may hear some information about individual trees and history, but the main goal is to get outside and get some exercise! Bring good walking shoes, water, and walking poles if desired.","98255":"As the sun sets, the bats come out! Join Matt Kamm from Zoo New England and Horticulturist Brendan Keegan for a Bat Walk in the Conifer Collection, using specialized microphones to listen for and identify bat species in the landscape. This special Friday-night program is geared towards adults.","98287":"Join pollinator expert Nicole Bell for a walk through the Arboretum's meadows to find bees and other pollinators in their natural habitat. Nicole will use a sweep net to find and catch bees in the landscape so participants can see them up close, while we talk about the most common bees found in Massachusetts, where they live and what they eat, and the importance of places like the Arboretum for pollinator conservation.","98521":"Come join a Boston Park Ranger and one of the mounted units from their herd for a 'meet and greet.' Learn about their role in the parks and how the rangers care for their mounted partners. These programs usually last from 30 minutes to an hour. No registration required.","99217":"Join PhD Candidate Vidya Vuruputoor for a Tree Mob exploring the devastating impact of the hemlock woolly adelgid, and the research efforts underway at the Arnold Arboretum to better understand the hemlocks' defense strategies. This Tree Mob will include a hands-on demonstration, showcasing how hemlock samples are collected using liquid nitrogen to allow for later analysis of gene expression and chemical profiles.","99418":"Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the father of landscape architecture, designed some 500 public spaces in North America. The Arnold Arboretum is the only arboretum he designed, a National Historic Landmark, and a model for others around the world. Docent Bill Beizer, will identify the elements of the Arboretum that best reflect Olmsted's philosophy and approach to landscape design.","99171":"Cancelled due to heat advisory,","100026":"Join us for a participatory read-aloud of Tree Lines, an anthology of 21st-century poems all about the wonderful world of trees. Come by to listen to poetry under the shade of beautiful cherry trees in the Bradley Rosaceous Collection, and maybe even take a turn to read a poem yourself. No need to stay for the full hour and a half: drop in and out as you please. We will have printouts of the poems selected for this reading, and copies of Tree Lines will be available for sale as well. This program will take place on the grass, so bring a blanket or camp chair to sit on!","99934":"The conifer collection at the Arnold Arboretum is a magical place to visit at any time of the year, as it is especially rich in history and diversity. Docent Cristina\u00a0Squeff\u00a0will lead participants through this collection explaining key identification features and sharing relevant stories about individual trees.\u00a0","100636":"The Caterpillar Lab returns to the Arboretum for a full weekend packed with caterpillar displays, free-exploration programming, digital microscopes, and experienced educators on hand to give you insights into these amazing animals. This exhibit takes place in the Hunnewell Lecture Hall, where Caterpillar Lab staff brings in hundreds of caterpillars, cocoons, and lots of leafy greenery for the caterpillars to explore. This is a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the huge diversity of native caterpillars close up!","101003":"Woodturning is the art of fashioning wood into various forms and shapes by means of a lathe. Returning to the Arnold Arboretum for the ninth year, The Art of the Woodturner will again offer visitors the chance to see an amazing variety of woodturned pieces: large and small, functional and sculptural. Work from three New England clubs will be on view, and visitors can experience demonstrations on the lathe in both the Hunnewell Lecture Hall and Hunnewell lawn.","101049":"Join us for an art reception celebrating the opening of Intimate Vistas: Images of Tree Bark. Photographer Marc Goldring's work has always centered on finding the mysterious in the commonplace and bringing attention to objects and features which we otherwise might not have noticed at all. In this show, Marc attends to the bark of trees. He brings the camera in close to look at the details of the extraordinary variety of textures, colors and shapes of the bark of trees. Familiar or relatively exotic, the tree\u2019s bark tells a story about the life of the tree, both of the species and of the particular individual. In this way we can better connect to, and understand on a visceral level, these common yet alien beings.","101091":"Use the freshly fallen leaves at the Arboretum to make beautiful art, just like the famed nature artist Andy Goldsworthy. This is a chance to play in the leaves and make something beautiful-- even if it only lasts until the next gust of wind!","101173":"Join us for an art reception celebrating the new exhibit in the Hunnewell Visitor Center, titled Ramble. Ramble is a painted representation of tree and nature scenes from around the world: San Diego, France, Maine, and the Arnold Arboretum itself. The show embodies the awe and excitement that each encounter with nature inspired in the artist, and in countless other visitors to those same spots.","100531":"Please join us for a reception celebrating the opening of Ghost Trees, a digital art show presented in augmented reality which celebrates the lives of five iconic Arboretum trees. Artist Sonia Ralston has skillfully recreated these beloved trees as 3-D digital models: visitors can scan a QR code and see these trees superimposed on the landscape behind them, experiencing them as they once stood.","100909":"Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of year at the Arboretum, with leaves changing color and all sorts of unique seeds and fruits appearing on the branches. Join docent Vicki Amalfitano for a theme tour to learn about all the changes that happen in the Arboretum's collections in the fall.","100957":"The Arnold Arboretum has an over 150 year legacy of preserving native and exotic species in an ever changing global environment. This one hour tour will highlight some of the Arboretum's successes with endangered historic trees, current initiatives to preserve threatened species among its collection of some 16,000 woody trees, shrubs and plants, and the work the Arboretum has underway to meet future challenges from climate and habitat loss.","100881":"Many are aware of Charles Sprague Sargent\u2019s role as first director of the Arnold Arboretum, establishing it as the world-renowned institution it is today. Far fewer are familiar with the deep influence he had over how Americans have come to think about forests, forestry, and wilderness. Docent Paul Eldrenkamp will lead a tour that explores the history of the idea of the forest in America- and how Sargent helped shape that idea.","100800":"Join docent Paul Eldrenkamp for a visit to five groups of trees that each played a particularly significant role in shaping five very different civilizations: Eastern White Pine, Cedar of Lebanon, Western Red Cedar, Oaks, and the five sacred trees of the Kiso Forest in Japan.","100754":"Cosmologies are ways of understanding the nature of the universe, of experiencing the world in all its variations including the visible and the invisible.\u00a0Over millennia trees have served as the mythological archetype of the world\u2019s axis (axis mundi), the pole through the earth\u2019s center which connects the worlds above and below.\u00a0Within a cosmic-magical model of the world\u00a0 (imago mundi), trees also evolved in various cultures to possess innate spiritual powers or as conduits for communication with the holy or sacred. This tour is interactive with stops for moments to reflect on specific trees and the stories associated with them. Were they revered or feared?\u00a0 A home for deities or tricksters?","101338":"Did you know you can eat staghorn sumac berries? What about stinging nettle? Join local foraging expert Tyler Akabane for a plant foraging walk to look for wild edibles in the Arboretum landscape, and learn how to identify and safely prepare a wide variety of wild edible plants.","100413":"Almost all of the plants in the Arboretum begin their lives in the Dana Greenhouses. Join greenhouse staff for a behind-the-scenes look of the greenhouse growing process, from seed to sprout to seedling to tree.","100423":"How can you tell different goldenrods apart? How can you use shape and scent to identify a plant? And what exactly is that aster in your backyard? Join Horticulturist Brendan Keegan for a Native Wildflower Identification class to answer these questions and more, and find out which ones to plant in your garden along the way. This program takes place at the pollinator meadow at Weld Hill, a haven for native wildflowers at the Arboretum. ","100441":"Slow down and awaken your senses on a guided therapeutic experience in the Arnold Arboretum. Forest Bathing, inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, is a restorative sensory exploration and part of a global effort to tend to the stressful conditions of living in modern industrialized civilization. All the prompts, invitations, sharing and ways of participating are optional and open to interpretation.","100449":"In this experimental photography workshop led by local artist and scientist Jess Holz, participants create \u2018paintings\u2019 using microscopic plankton collected from the Arboretum's ponds. Participants use a microscope in combination with software which creates video akin to timelapse photography- acting at the decisive moment, participants snap photos of the trails created by these microscopic creatures. Participants will learn basic identification of microscopic pond life while getting a fascinating glimpse into their dynamic behavior, such as the helical paths of flagellates and the water currents generated by rotifers as they feed.","100468":"Unwind with this weekly evening meditation under the shade of the linden collection. Facilitator Bob Linscott will guide the group through 30 minutes of mindfulness and meditation designed to help you de-stress and connect with the natural world.","100480":"The Arboretum is full of plants that can be used to make alcohol. We have the classics like grapes, hops, and juniper, as well as ingredients for more obscure liquors and liqueurs like sweet birch, spruce, and bamboo. Join Manager of Adult Programming and Events Sarah Nechamen for a walk to explore these plants and the spirits they create.","100489":"Many of the plants grown at the Arboretum have been used as natural dyes for centuries: barberry for yellow, milkweed for green, madder or bloodroot for pink. Join Herbalist Iris Weaver for a workshop to learn about and practice some of these natural dyeing methods. After a short introduction, the class will embark on a walk to see and learn about the plants and the dyes they create; then participants will return to the Hunnewell Lecture Hall to try their own hands at dyeing, using dye baths and fabric prepared by the instructor. Participants do not need to bring their own fabric or other materials, and will go home with a dyed silk bandana and some smaller sample fabric provided by the instructor.","100511":"This program has been cancelled.","100550":"Hundreds of mushrooms hide beneath the Arboretum\u2019s canopies, silently blossoming into unique forms then withering away again just as quickly. Join local mushroom enthusiast Maria Pinto to search for these fascinating organisms on the Arboretum grounds, both edible and poisonous alike. Along the way you will learn what mushrooms to look for in different habitats and seasons, how they move through ecosystems, and what the Arboretum\u2019s unique collections affect what mushrooms you might find here.\u00a0\u00a0","100558":"Join local Jamaica Plain herbalist Alex Klein for a medicinal plant walk at the Arboretum. The walk will cover medicinal plants in the Arboretum's collection as well as the medicine of common local species growing spontaneously throughout the grounds. Attendees will learn some basic techniques to identify local species, safely and ethically gather these plants, and process them for use as medicine. In doing so, we will consider the role we can make for ourselves in our local ecology: not only what the plants can do for us, but what we can do for them.","100568":"Embark on a birdwatching walk in the Arboretum's landscape with birder and wildlife photographer Michael Bryant, AKA Nature Man Mike. This two-hour walk is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced birders. Binoculars will be available to borrow on a first-come-first-serve basis, but you are encouraged to bring your own!","101371":"Families are invited to the Arboretum for a monthly intergenerational workshop celebrating connection and creative expression in nature. Participants will create art with natural items, play yoga games, engage in mindfulness practices, and play with sound using both voice and the sounds of nature around us. The program will be different every month, but each session will work towards building community between different generations and engaging with nature in new ways.","100576":"In the 1800s, the Boston area was an exciting time for growing and breeding grape varieties. Pioneering New England horticulturists bred unique new varieties like Salem, Merrimac, and Concord, hybridizing existing varieties to maximize flavor and growability. As we discuss these hybridizers and their work, the class will take a walk to the nearby Leventritt Garden to see several of these vines growing in the Arboretum's own collections.","100616":"The Caterpillar Lab is moving in, and while the exhibit will be full of their munching critters and offer lots to explore, the real story is the one going on outside where these creatures are living out their strange lives in the wild. Join Director of the Caterpillar Lab Sam Jaffe on a walk around the property exploring for native caterpillars and other insects. Learn how the Caterpillar Lab finds all of their caterpillars, learn about host plants and parasitoids, and get all of the caterpillar-finding secrets from one of the foremost caterpillar hunters in the world!","100674":"Hemlock Hill is one of the Arboretum's handful of minimally managed, natural areas, and there are dozens of plants and animals that make their home there. The hemlocks cast heavy shade and acidify the soil, creating a unique ecosystem for the resident flora and fauna. Join Horticulturist Brendan Keegan for this walk around Hemlock Hill and take a deep dive into the site's ecology, management, and history.","100688":"The maple collection in October is a rainbow of beautiful fall colors, and this diversity of color comes from the large diversity of species in this collection. Join Horticulturist Rachel Lawlor for a tour of this colorful collection and learn what makes a maple a maple, discover how to identify different species, and see some of the Arboretum's most unique maple trees.","100702":"The Arboretum becomes a riot of color in October, with leaves turning deep red, fiery orange, and bright yellow. Have you ever wondered why this happens every autumn? Outdoor Educator Ana Maria Caballero will take us through the science of fall leaf color, including an exploration of pigments and abscission, a hands-on experiment to reveal the array of pigments present in every leaf, and a walk in the landscape to take a closer look at leaves in all phases of color change.","100721":"Nature has the power to evoke calm and beauty when we can step out of our hectic lives. This immersive experience in the Arnold Arboretum will invite participants to meander through the arboretum, stopping for several guided mindfulness practices to deepen their connection with the natural world. This will be a guided experience with some periods of silence. No experience with mindfulness or meditation necessary.","101347":"Did you know you can eat staghorn sumac berries? What about stinging nettle? Join local foraging expert Tyler Akabane for a plant foraging walk to look for wild edibles in the Arboretum landscape, and learn how to identify and safely prepare a wide variety of wild edible plants.","101027":"Join the Arnold Arboretum\u2019s Director William (Ned) Friedman for a guided tour of the Arboretum, designed for those with dementia and their caregivers. Connect with nature, view seasonal plant highlights, and enjoy the spectacular colors of the Arboretum in autumn.","101067":"Hundreds of mushrooms hide beneath the Arboretum\u2019s canopies, silently blossoming into unique forms then withering away again just as quickly. Join local mushroom enthusiast Maria Pinto to search for these fascinating organisms on the Arboretum grounds, both edible and poisonous alike. Along the way you will learn what mushrooms to look for in different habitats and seasons, how they move through ecosystems, and what the Arboretum\u2019s unique collections affect what mushrooms you might find here.\u00a0\u00a0","101077":"As we approach the end of the growing season, it's time to start thinking about next year's plantings! What trees or shrubs should you plant in your own yard? Which plants will fare best in your particular space and microclimate? Join Horticulturist Rowan Payne-Meyer for a class on garden design for woody plants. We will begin in the Hunnewell Lecture Hall for a discussion on garden design techniques, and then move outdoors to see the design strategies used in the Leventritt Shrub and Vine Garden and the Bradley Rosaceous Collection.","101118":"","101190":"Smithsonian Trees of North America is a new, beautifully illustrated guide to more than 325 common trees on this continent. Join author John Kress for a book talk on this indispensable new guide, complete with hundreds of range maps illustrating where the trees can be found; thousands of photographs of the trees' leaves, bark, flowers, and fruit; in-depth studies of the trees' biology, ecology, and evolution; and fascinating discussions of the trees' future in a world of rapid environmental change. And keep an eye out for several photos taken by our very own Ned Friedman!","101209":"As we enter the cold winter months, it's time to start thinking about next year's garden! Join Pollinator Expert Nicole Bell for a class on gardening for pollinators and learn how to make your garden as welcoming as possible for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The class will cover best pollen and nectar plants for bees, nesting habitat, best management practices, and how to ensure that your garden has pollinator-friendly flowers available all season long.","101816":"Embark on a birdwatching tour in the Arboretum's landscape with docent and birder Donna Sullivan. This two-hour tour is suitable for adult beginners as well as more experienced birders. Bring binoculars if you have them!","103398":"Join Head Arborist John DelRosso for a Tree Mob on the American pawpaw, the largest edible fruit native to the United States whose flavor has been described as a cross between a mango and a banana. Learn about recipes you can make with pawpaw fruit, medicinal uses of the plant, the tree's unique pollination strategies, and how the Arboretum cares for its own pawpaw trees.","103911":"Hosted by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, this inaugural event for the\u00a0Young Friends of the Arnold Arboretum\u00a0features an enchanting evening of food, drinks, and activities in the landscape after dark\u2014a time when the Arboretum is usually closed to the visiting public. \u00a0Designed to appeal to those 21-40 or who are young at heart, this event is a premier opportunity to immerse yourself in the plants, purpose, and peacefulness of the Arnold Arboretum with other metropolitan nature enthusiasts.","104668":"Watch your heads, the walnuts are dropping! Join Manager of Horticulture Rachel Brinkman for a Tree Mob on Black Walnut and other walnut species. Learn about the difference between the walnuts from the grocery store and the walnut trees you see in your neighborhood, the strange chemicals that walnut trees seep out of their roots, how to identify different types of walnuts, and more.","105891":"The persimmon fruit are perfectly ripe on Bussey Hill Road: come join Horticulturist Brendan Keegan for a Tree Mob and learn about this fascinating tree's natural history as well as its delicious uses for both humans and wildlife.","105861":"Start your 2025 year list off on this easy 90-minute walk from the main gate to the ponds and back. In addition to looking for winter birds we will admire the Arboretum's impressive woody plant collection.","105429":"What is there to see at the Arboretum after all of the leaves have fallen and before spring flowers start to bloom? Bark! Shaggy bark, mottled bark, striped bark: the Arboretum has it all. Join Horticulturist Rachel Lawlor to see some beautiful bark highlights, learn how to identify some trees by their bark, and learn why that bark looks the way it does.\u00a0","105378":"We know that trees are a key ally in the fight against climate change and urban heat islands, but not every tree works in every situation. Selecting the right tree for your yard or landscape is critical both for the health of the tree and for the strength of the ecosystem services they provide. Botanist and researcher Henrik Sj\u00f6man's new book, \"The Essential Tree Selection Guide,\" is a valuable new tool for making these tree selection decisions: an A to Z guide of over 550 trees, the book comes complete with explanations of each tree's ecosystem benefits, its resilience to drought and storms, and key considerations for site placement. Join us on December 8 for a virtual book talk on this invaluable new guide.","105401":"Embark on a birdwatching walk in the Arboretum's landscape with birder and wildlife photographer Michael Bryant, AKA Nature Man Mike. This two-hour walk is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced birders. Binoculars will be available to borrow on a first-come-first-serve basis, but you are encouraged to bring your own!","105409":"Dusk is a perfect time to look and listen for Great Horned Owls, often heard calling throughout the Arboretum\u2019s collections. Join Horticulturist Brendan Keegan to hear about the owls' breeding and nesting behavior, learn how to go owling ethically, and possibly hear and see a few owls as well. ","105439":"When gardens go dormant for the winter months, there are still certain species and cultivars that draw the eye with their bright berries, interesting seed pods, and spectacular bark. Join Warren Leach for a book talk on his new book, \"Plants for the Winter Garden: Perennials, Grasses, Shrubs, and Trees to Add Interest in the Cold and Snow,\" and discover all that a winter garden has to offer. Warren Leach has years of gardening experience in the cold Northeast and will be sharing all of his winter garden tips, from plant selection and placement, to pruning techniques, to structural components that complement the plants themselves. And if you decide to buy a book after the program, make sure to look for some references to the Arnold Arboretum's own winter landscape!","105454":"Join us for a winter foraging walk to learn what wild plants can be foraged and brewed into tea. Visit some of the Arboretum's tastiest winter plants, from sweet birch and juniper to sassafras and spicebush. You may even get to taste some of the teas yourself! Led by Manager of Adult Programming and Events Sarah Nechamen.","105462":"Dusk is a perfect time to look and listen for Great Horned Owls, often heard calling throughout the Arboretum\u2019s collections. Join Arboretum Horticulturist Brendan Keegan and Matt Kamm, Associate Director of Field Conservation at Zoo New England, to hear about the owls' breeding and nesting behavior, learn how to go owling ethically, and possibly hear and see a few owls as well. ","105474":"What is there to see at the Arboretum after all of the leaves have fallen and before spring flowers start to bloom? Bark! Shaggy bark, mottled bark, striped bark: the Arboretum has it all. Join Horticulturist Rachel Lawlor to see some beautiful bark highlights, learn how to identify some trees by their bark, and learn why that bark looks the way it does.\u00a0","105480":"The Explorers Garden is bursting with things to see in the winter. Join Keeper of the Living Collections Michael Dosmann for a walk around the Explorers Garden and Bussey Hill to see beautiful bark, interesting evergreens, and maybe even some winter-blooming flowers. From plumb yews to wintersweet, the Explorers Garden has a lot to offer this time of year.","105557":"Dusk is a perfect time to look and listen for Great Horned Owls, often heard calling throughout the Arboretum\u2019s collections. Join Arboretum Horticulturist Brendan Keegan and Matt Kamm, Associate Director of Field Conservation at Zoo New England, to hear about the owls' breeding and nesting behavior, learn how to go owling ethically, and possibly hear and see a few owls as well.","105615":"The Arboretum landscape doesn't go to sleep in the winter: in fact winter is the best time to see the bright stems of red twig and yellow twig dogwood, the red fruits of the winterberry, and the silver bark of raspberry. Join Director of Horticulture and Landscape Rodney Eason for a walk to explore the shrubs with winter interest in the landscape. Learn about a variety of shrubs in the Arboretum's collections, how to maintain these shrubs in your own yard, and what to expect from them in various seasons throughout the year.","105630":"From puddingstone to drumlins, the Arboretum features an array of geological features that affect the landscape and the plants that grow here. Join professional geologist Andy Koenigsberg for a geology walk and learn about the rocky outcrops, boulders, and glacial features found across the Arboretum.","105649":"Winter can feel like one of the hardest times to identify trees, with most of their characteristic leaves and flowers gone for the season. But with help from experienced horticulturist and plant science teacher Nicole Forsyth, you can start identifying common winter trees from the woods and streets of Massachusetts based only on their bark, buds, twigs, and persistent fruit. This class will begin indoors with a presentation in the lecture hall, and then move outside for some identification practice in the landscape.","105661":"How exactly are you supposed to prune that hydrangea or holly shrub in your backyard? Join Horticulturists Ryan Devlin and Maren Gunning for this practical workshop to find out what kinds of cuts to make and where, so that you can make sure your shrubs and vines are looking their best going into the next growing season.","105669":"With mating season just getting started, February is one of the best times to see signs of the Arboretum's resident coyote population. Join Horticulturist and wildlife enthusiast Brendan Keegan to look for coyote tracks and scat, check our trail cameras, and find out why all these coyotes are in Boston in the first place.\u00a0","105682":"Join us for a winter foraging walk to learn what wild plants can be foraged and brewed into tea. Visit some of the Arboretum's tastiest winter plants, from sweet birch and juniper to sassafras and spicebush. You may even get to taste some of the teas yourself! Led by Manager of Adult Programming and Events Sarah Nechamen.","105695":"In winter, when all the leaves have fallen, the stark and beautiful forms of the bare trees suddenly come into focus. It becomes clear that not all tree forms are alike: some trees are cone-shaped, some round, some have steep branch angles, others have branches that stick straight out from the trunk. Join Director of Horticulture and Landscape Rodney Eason for a walk to explore tree architecture at the Arboretum and learn how to use tree form to help identify trees in the winter, and how the different forms help or harm the trees throughout their lives.","105817":"Returning disturbed land to mature, stable forests is a decades-long process as the land works its way through multiple stages of succession. But what if it wasn't? The Miyawaki Method offers a way to fast-track the growth of new ecosystems, using high-density planting to quickly restore biodiversity and grow tall, mature forests. Biodiversity for a Livable Climate, a local organization with the goal of using ecological restoration to mitigate climate change, planted the first Miyawaki forest in the Northeast in 2021, right here in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Join Alexandra Ionescu, Associate Director of Regenerative Projects at Biodiversity for a Livable Climate, to learn about the Miyawaki method and their efforts to create Miyawaki forests in the Boston area.","106621":"Join us this winter at the Arboretum as we read and discover new things about the natural world. During this one-hour program for our youngest guests and their grownups, we will begin by reading a nature inspired story followed by a walk, activity, or craft to continue exploring the theme.","107305":"","107907":"Come join a Boston Park Ranger and one of the mounted units from their herd for a 'meet and greet.' Learn about their role in the parks and how the rangers care for their mounted partners. These programs usually last from 30 minutes to an hour. ","108716":"Did you know that flowers bloom at the Arboretum even in the depths of winter? Witch-hazels bloom in vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows across the landscape, giving a beautiful pop of color amidst the winter greys and whites. Join us on a tour and be ready to step off the path to admire the flowers of our native witch-hazels, as well as those from China and Japan.","108928":"Embark on a birdwatching tour in the Arboretum's landscape with docent and birder Donna Sullivan. This two-hour tour is suitable for adult beginners as well as more experienced birders. Bring binoculars if you have them!","108948":"Part of the mission of the Arnold Arboretum is stewardship of the earth\u2019s botanical diversity and its essential value to humankind. This one hour tour through the landscape, led by docent Vicki Amalfitano, will highlight important Arboretum historical conservation efforts that have preserved distinct native and exotic species, and current efforts in our living collections to mitigate habitat disruption and climate impact.\u00a0Learn about plant expeditions to preserve species in the face of climate change and new pathogens, research initiatives, as well as the Arboretum\u2019s green initiatives and local collaborations to improve our urban canopy.","109024":"Many are aware of Charles Sprague Sargent\u2019s role as first director of the Arnold Arboretum, establishing it as the world-renowned institution it is today. Far fewer are familiar with the deep influence he had over how Americans have come to think about forests, forestry, and wilderness. Docent Paul Eldrenkamp will lead a tour that explores the history of the idea of the forest in America- and how Sargent helped shape that idea.","109047":"Join docent Paul Eldrenkamp for a visit to five groups of trees that each played a particularly significant role in shaping five very different civilizations: Eastern White Pine, Cedar of Lebanon, Western Red Cedar, Oaks, and the five sacred trees of the Kiso Forest in Japan.","109118":"Join us for a tour of the Arboretum, designed for a blind or visually impaired audience. Tour seasonal plant highlights and learn about Arboretum history from a trained docent, as you experience the Arboretum through smell, touch, sound, and detailed verbal descriptions.","109250":"The Explorers Garden rests in a microclimate just below the summit of Bussey Hill. This nearly five-acre site provides ideal growing conditions for many species that have been challenging to grow in less protected areas of the Arboretum. As such, it has proven to be a perfect testing ground for plants collected in the expeditions of E. H. Wilson in the early 1900s to the NACPEC \u00a0(North America-China Plant Exploration Consortium) expeditions of our own time. Join docent Marie Herbert for a guided tour to learn more about some of the plants showcased in this special collection and to hear stories of the plant exploration expeditions that brought them to the Arboretum.","109317":"At the beginning of May, flowers are just starting to emerge from the trees and shrubs of the Arboretum: cherry trees, dogwood, redbuds, and magnolias are all blooming this time of year. Join Arboretum docent Paul Eldrenkamp to see, smell, and learn about these early spring blooms! ","109658":"Join us for this engaging family workshop where we will use materials found in the landscape to create unique pieces of art. In this family workshop we will explore foam printmaking where each participant will draw an image inspired by the landscape and the natural items collected. They will then create prints of their image using paint, printmaking foam, and brayers.","109598":"Join us for this engaging family workshop where we will use materials found in the landscape to create unique pieces of art. In this family workshop we will learn what cyanotypes are and how to make them and create fun texture-filled airdry clay prints! ","109633":"Join us for this engaging family workshop where we will use materials found in the landscape to create unique pieces of art. In this family workshop we will learn how to create monoprints using gel plates and found natural materials.","110955":"Join us at the Arboretum as we read and discover new things about the natural world. During this one-hour program for our youngest guests and their grownups, we will read a nature inspired story, do a craft, and go for a nature walk to continue exploring the theme.","110112":"Embark on a birdwatching walk in the Arboretum's landscape with birder and wildlife photographer Michael Bryant, AKA Nature Man Mike. This two-hour walk is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced birders. Binoculars will be available to borrow on a first-come-first-serve basis, but you are encouraged to bring your own!","110120":"The lawn is a ubiquitous part of the American landscape, but how did it get that way? Join Dr. Peter Del Tredici, Botanist and Senior Research Scientist Emeritus at the Arboretum, as he takes us through the lawn's fascinating history. This lecture will discuss the social and ecological issues surrounding lawns, how we can make lawns a productive part of the larger ecosystem, and finally, the alarming trend to remove grass fields altogether and replace them with plastic turf.","110621":"Take in the sights and sounds of the arboretum under the light of a full moon. Facilitator Bob Linscott will lead the group through some mindfulness in nature practices as we meander along the paved road to our final nighttime viewing location on top of Bussey Hill.","110141":"Propagators at the Arboretum and all over the world use grafting to fuse together different plants, taking positive traits from each to create maximum disease resistance, drought tolerance, and more. Now, it's your turn! Join us for a hands-on grafting workshop led by Assistant Manager of Plant Production Chris Copeland and learn the core concepts of grafting, then try your hand at doing some grafting yourself.","110169":"Arboretum members are invited to join us for a full afternoon of tours, exhibits, and refreshments. Keeper of the Living Collections Michael Dosmann and Manager of Plant Records Kyle Port will be leading tours of the Herbarium and curation department, Head of the Library and Archives Lisa Pearson will be holding court in the library, and artist Marc Goldring will be talking about his beautiful exhibition of Arboretum photographs in the lecture hall. Members are welcome to attend for any part of the 2.5-hour event, but you are encouraged to arrive early if you want to attend all three tours!","110192":"Hundreds of mushrooms hide beneath the Arboretum\u2019s canopies, silently blossoming into unique forms then withering away again just as quickly. Join local mushroom enthusiast Maria Pinto to search for these fascinating organisms on the Arboretum grounds, both edible and poisonous alike. Along the way you will learn what mushrooms to look for in different habitats and seasons, how they move through ecosystems, and what the Arboretum\u2019s unique collections affect what mushrooms you might find here.\u00a0\u00a0","110216":"Join Arborist Delia Mahoney and Horticulturist Maren Gunning for a class on chainsaw maintenance and safety, designed specifically for women. Learn how to develop safe work habits, use proper PPE, maintain your chainsaw, and make effective cuts. The class will also cover the ergonomics of chainsaw use for women, so that you can wield a chainsaw without acute or repetitive strain injuries.","110276":"*Rescheduled from April 12 due to rain.* As small, herbaceous plants begin to pop out of the soil and carpet the landscape, early spring is a great time to learn what some of these plants are and how to identify them. Join Manager of Adult Programming and Events Sarah Nechamen for a plant ID walk in the landscape and learn how to identify plants like chickweed, creeping charlie, stinging nettle, and more.","110293":"*Rescheduled from April 26 due to rain.* Get in touch with your artistic side in this botanical sketching program on the Hunnewell Lawn. We'll supply paper, pencils, and some blankets to sit on, while artist Erica Beade walks around offering artistic tips and tricks to participants. You are encouraged to bring any additional art supplies you would like to work with. This is a walk-up program so no registration is required: just show up any time between 10am and 12pm.","110639":"*Cancelled due to weather.* Take in the sights and sounds of the arboretum under the light of a full moon. Facilitator Bob Linscott will lead the group through some mindfulness in nature practices as we meander along the paved road to our final nighttime viewing location on top of Bussey Hill.","110327":"Join us for a bird walk designed for a blind or visually impaired audience. This program is co-led by Jerry Berrier, a blind birder who has been birding by ear for over 50 years, and Brendan Keegan, an Arboretum Horticulturist and naturalist. Together, Jerry and Brendan will reveal the birds of the Arboretum through detailed verbal descriptions and by teaching participants the art of birding by ear.","110340":"Slow down and awaken your senses on a guided sensory experience in the Arnold Arboretum. Forest Bathing, inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, is a restorative sensory exploration that supports health and healing for all beings. From increased cerebral blood flow to stronger immune defenses, come discover for yourself what happens when we unplug, slow down and open our senses to notice more of our natural surroundings. All the prompts, invitations, sharing and ways of participating are optional and open to interpretation.","110861":"Come celebrate Japanese culture amongst the Arboretum's beautiful cherry blossoms with taiko drumming, traditional Japanese dance, Japanese games and calligraphy, family activities, and the inside scoop on the Arboretum's own cherry collection. The event begins at 2:00pm, with performances at 3:00pm.","110354":"*Rescheduled from April 26. Many of the plants grown at the Arboretum have been used as natural dyes for centuries: barberry for yellow, milkweed for green, madder or bloodroot for pink. Join Herbalist Iris Weaver for a workshop to learn about and practice some of these natural dyeing methods. After a short introduction, the class will embark on a walk to see and learn about the plants and the dyes they create; then participants will return to the Hunnewell Lecture Hall to try their own hands at dyeing, using dye baths and fabric prepared by the instructor. ","110366":"The Arnold is considered the \"Mother Arboretum\" for the modern crabapple, with over 50 species and 91 cultivars represented throughout the landscape. Join Assistant Curator of Living Collections Miles Sax and Horticulturist Lindsay Davies for a tour of the flowering crabapples on Peters Hill as they reach peak bloom during the month of May, and learn about the history and conservation of this fascinating collection.","110402":"Are plants flowering earlier in the year now that the climate is warmer? Why do some plants start leafing out as early as March, and others stay bare until June? Are honeybees outcompeting native pollinators at the Arboretum, or can they co-exist? Join us for a Research Spotlight with Dr. Richard Primack to learn the answers to these questions and more. The group will meet in front of the Hunnewell Building and then walk to Leventritt Shrub and Vine Garden to take a look at the leaves, flowers, and pollinators that can be found there.","110415":"You may be familiar with some of the trees in the Arboretum, but what about the trees on the streets around it? Join natural builder and urban tree enthusiast Emily Wang for a tree ID walk in the neighborhoods around the Arboretum, and learn best practices for identifying common street trees in Boston.","110443":"Slow down and awaken your senses on a guided sensory experience set in the Arboretum's beautiful lilac collection. Forest Bathing, inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, is a restorative sensory exploration that supports health and healing for all beings. From increased cerebral blood flow to stronger immune defenses, come discover for yourself what happens when we unplug, slow down and open our senses to notice more of our natural surroundings. All the prompts, invitations, sharing and ways of participating are optional and open to interpretation.","110455":"Experience the springtime bloom of our renowned lilac collection with Lilac Sunday, offering fun, free explorations for the entire family. The event features ongoing tours of the Arboretum\u2019s lilacs as well as guided meditations,\u00a0art, family activities, and picnicking on this day only. Visitors may also enjoy a host of self-guided tours, including a lilac tour, via the Arboretum website and its Expeditions app.","110613":"Nature has the power to evoke calm and beauty when we can step out of our hectic lives. This immersive experience in the Arnold Arboretum will invite participants to meander through the arboretum, stopping for several guided mindfulness practices to deepen their connection with the natural world. This will be a guided experience with some periods of silence. No experience with mindfulness or meditation necessary.","110735":"As the Arboretum's Bonsai and Penjing Collection heads back out to the pavilion for the warm season, join Bonsai Specialist Jun Imabayashi for a special up-close look at these rare specimens. Jun is the caretaker of the Arboretum's bonsai collection and has a wealth of knowledge on the history of the Arboretum's bonsai trees, bonsai care and maintenance, and the cultural significance of the bonsai art form.","110753":"Hundreds of mushrooms hide beneath the Arboretum\u2019s canopies, silently blossoming into unique forms then withering away again just as quickly. Join local mushroom enthusiast Maria Pinto to search for these fascinating organisms on the Arboretum grounds, both edible and poisonous alike. Along the way you will learn what mushrooms to look for in different habitats and seasons, how they move through ecosystems, and what the Arboretum\u2019s unique collections affect what mushrooms you might find here.\u00a0\u00a0","110770":"Can you identify the trees around you when you're walking through the streets of Boston or hiking in New England forests? Join experienced horticulturist and plant science teacher Nicole Forsyth for a class on identifying common trees and shrubs in Massachusetts, from elms and honeylocust to lindens and witch-hazels. This class will begin indoors with a presentation in the lecture hall, and then move outside for some identification practice in the landscape. ","110786":"Tai chi is a Chinese martial art known for its slow, intentional movements which act as a form of moving meditation for practitioners. Join International Tai Chi Gold Medalist and referee Hongsheng Jin for this one-hour tai chi class, appropriate for beginners and experienced students alike. The class will begin with breathwork and stretching, continue with a moving meditation and a walk practice, and conclude with a formal tai chi practice.","112635":"Have you ever wanted to learn more about the feathered friends you see and hear on a walk through the Arnold Arboretum? If so, please join birders and volunteers TJ and Allison for a leisurely 90-minute bird watching walk. We will cover a variety of habitats and focus on the changes that seasonal migration brings to our resident birds, so come back often to keep up with the seasons! No homework is required, but binoculars\u00a0are helpful for spotting in the trees.","113021":"It's March and skunk cabbages are once again adding their skunk-y aroma to Arboretum wetlands! Join horticulturist Lindsay Davies to learn how these strange plants use thermogenesis to produce their own heat and lure in carrion-feeding pollinators with their putrid odor, before sinking back into the mud for the rest of the growing season.","113206":"Explore part of the Arboretum's 281 acre landscape, hear stories of the Arboretum's history, get an introduction to some of the many woody plant collections, and enjoy what's in bloom during this 90-minute, docent-led tour.","113768":"The towering silver maple on Meadow Road, once the tallest tree in the landscape, has reached the end of its time at the Arboretum. Before this beloved tree is taken down, join us for a Tree Mob to celebrate its life and learn about how the Arboretum makes difficult decisions around tree removal in order to protect visitors and keep the landscape healthy and vibrant. Keeper of the Living Collections Michael Dosmann and Manager of Horticulture Rachel Brinkman will lead this Tree Mob, sharing their perspectives and expertise on this beautiful tree.","115464":"Have you ever wanted to learn more about the feathered friends you see and hear on a walk through the Arnold Arboretum? If so, please join birders and volunteers TJ and Allison for a leisurely 90-minute bird watching walk. We will cover a variety of habitats and focus on the changes that seasonal migration brings to our resident birds, so come back often to keep up with the seasons! No homework is required, but binoculars\u00a0are helpful for spotting in the trees.","116262":"Save the date for MassQ Ball 2025: Color! A reprise of the wildly successful 2022 event, MassQ Ball is a celebration of Boston's cultural arts and communities of color, featuring interactive MassQ face painting and cross-cultural dancers, musicians, spoken word, sculpture, and much more. We will open registration this summer: until then, visit MassQ's website for a sneak peak at this year's artists!","116352":"MassQing is an art-form that uses the human face as a canvas to reveal one's inner state. Learn the origin, technique and meaning of this practice from MassQ artist Daniel Callahan and then engage firsthand in the conception and creation of your own MassQ.","116237":""}